Need Diesel Tech

[SpiderGearsMan]

you'll blow it up

[Russell]

What ever happend to the pics of the new lowered truck?

[DanStokes]

ME's using the camera but as soon as she's done I'll post up some shots. It looks great and with the lowering and tonneau combined we went from 19.7 MPG to 22.4 MPG (both highway, using the on-board meter). WAY cool. I did bump my record (107.11 to 108.77) but I'm pretty sure I'm on the built-in speed limiter. Hope to have a chip for the next meet. One step at a time.

Dan

[Russell]

Wow never thought it would make that much of a diffence in mpg!

[Deaf Bob]

Wow never thought it would make that much of a diffence in mpg!

Less frontal pushing, no box swirling..
There was a test made. (mythbusters?) saying running with tailgate open made the air off the roof hit it, burning more fuel..
I have a hard time believing it... I can see savings with a tonneau.. Ever watch empty pop cans swirl at speed in the box (while being a passenger of course)??

Congrats on upping your record Dan!
Taller tires for more speed with the chip?

[Beagle]

the lip you see on the newer truck tailgates does a lot too apparently. I left my home made redneck deck lid intentionally about 2" past the end of the tailgate. 10% gain is what I see from it. Probably more but since I made it to be able to leave a bunch of tools and junk in the back, the truck has gained about 400 pounds.

[DanStokes]

Thanks Bob!

The Edge tuner (the one I'm leaning toward) bypasses the speed limiter so tire size won't be much of an issue (I think). As near as I can tell my limiter is set at 105-106, +/-. From reading up online they don't seem to be very precise - as noted in another thread I think it's supposed to keep you from exceeding the tire's speed rating. I have new Michelins and I'm not worried about spinning them up too fast given a max speed of 135 or so (all my safety equipment will allow).

Dan

[DanStokes]

Pics of the lowered truck are in the "General" section.

Dan

[milner351]

Great to see the fuel economy benefit Dan - I knew the efforts would help - but that's down right amazing fuel economy from a stock truck! From what I've read on forums and heard from folks, another 1 - 2mpg is possible with aftermarket tuners.

Load Range E tires surely aren't built to go over 100 mph for long! They're made to support a lot of weight. I have more confidence in Michelin than any other tire company - great choice.

[Deaf Bob]

Just drove the kid's 03 Ford diesel crew dualie...3 hours away, pulling a heavily ironed 76 Electra limited 225 up over 4800 ft ..
The more I drive it and get used to it, the better I like it... Just the last 500 ft over the Santiam Pass, did I have to downshift out of OD .. Not quite 3/4 tank of fuel.. By contrast, my chevy flatbed with a 350/4 speed does it in 2 tanks. Still not sure which stage he has but boy... So easy!
Got a question... Boost guage flickers around 15 lbs... That normal? Seems it should be steady up or down?

[DanStokes]

I don't know yet as I don't have the tuner yet, which will give me gages for such stuff. I'm trying to remember what we saw on the dyno but that was a stock configuration (no tuner) and the data was recorded on the site computer so we didn't watch it like - say - oil pressure (didn't want to scatter the engine). But I'll let you know what I see in a few days.

BTW - lost the bid in Ebay for the Edge w/Attitude ("Attitude" is the readout package w/multigage). The price got up to online retail so it no longer made sense. Just bought one from AutoAnything for $746.95 and Edge is offering a $40 rebate so the whole deal is less that the online auction went for. It'll be here tomorrow - free overnight shipping, too.

I read the Edge online instructions and it was interesting to learn that they include an EGT sensor with the system so I'll have EGTs and can set safety parameters so the engine won't fry. Just a hole to drill in the exhaust manifold and it's - dare I say - hot to trot.

Dan

[Deaf Bob]

Good! I am a firm believer in tuners and larger than factory exhaust...
Went up the same mountain in January following a E450 with same powertrain but stock..
Where the kid was in 4th , the stock E450 was in 2nd screaming.. Loads were pretty even...
We never noticed if the turbo boost flickered before...
Preventive is way cheaper than repairs.

[milner351]

Dan - remember to be real careful to catch all the chips when installing the T - couple into the exhaust manifold - don't want to send any chips into the turbo.

EGT and Boost gauges have been hanging around my shop as well as 4" exhaust for far too long waiting for me to get time to install them.

[DanStokes]

The Edge tech guy said that on the Dodge there's no advantage to big exhaust until I get to around 600 HP (not gonna happen with this truck - I can't exceed 135 mph w/o a roll cage and other enhancements). Stock is 3". I think some of the Fords (especially earlier production) had 2 1/2" which is pretty skimpy especially with a turbo. Not sure of your situation, Bob.

I'll be interested to see how the tuner helps out but I'm sure it'll be a good thing. This is my first go-round with an aftermarket tuner system so I really have no opinion yet. Edge recommends stopping at the 80 hp tune unless I have the trans done, which is not in the budget at this time.

Edge recommends coating the drill bit and tap with grease before drilling the manifold. I usually do that + having the vacuum running next to the area in question - chips and turbos are NOT friends.

Dan

[Deaf Bob]

Dan - remember to be real careful to catch all the chips when installing the T - couple into the exhaust manifold - don't want to send any chips into the turbo.

EGT and Boost gauges have been hanging around my shop as well as 4" exhaust for far too long waiting for me to get time to install them.

Maybe ignorance is bliss? Best not to know and let it do it's job... Altho I believe that preventive maintenace is cheaper than allowing something to break..